cannabisnews.com: Albright: U.S. to Aid in Central Asia's Drug Fight





Albright: U.S. to Aid in Central Asia's Drug Fight
Posted by FoM on April 18, 2000 at 08:49:59 PT
The Associated Press
Source: Bergen Record Online
On a visit to Uzbekistan, once famed for the goods that flowed through it on the ancient Silk Road, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright on Monday promised aid to stifle the modern flow of drugs and militants.On a five-day tour across Central Asia, Albright is seeking to promote U.S. policy in a region known for its booming drug trade, outbreaks of extremism, and frequent neglect of democratic values.
"While you are geographically distant from the United States, you are very closely connected to our most vital national interests," Albright said in a speech at the Tashkent University of World Economy and Diplomacy. "Since narcotics traffickers and terrorists know no borders, it's important that we work together to counter the threat they pose."Albright promised that the United States would commit $10 million to help provide training and equipment for counterterrorism, border guard, and anti-drug units in Uzbekistan and neighboring republics Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.But she warned President Islam Karimov and other regional leaders that the threat of Islamic extremism can't justify their crackdown on opposition and abuse of human rights and religious freedoms.Albright warned Karimov against suppressing peaceful opponents."Indiscriminate government censorship and repression can cause moderate and peaceful opponents of a regime to resort to violence," she said. "It can turn civilians who have never before been interested in politics into extremists. It would be a terrible mistake to treat peacefully practicing Muslims as enemies of the state."Uzbekistan has rich natural resources, but the majority of the population lives in poverty, surviving on an average monthly salary that barely reaches $20.Tashkistan, Uzbekistan Published: Tuesday, April 18, 2000Copyright © 2000 Bergen Record Corp. Related Articles On Madeleine K. AlbrightIs it Aid - or a $1.6 Bomb? http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4619.shtml Swaying to the Tune of a Diplomatic Two-Step http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4383.shtmlAlbright Signals Mexico Will Clear Drug Hurdlehttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4357.shtml
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Comment #3 posted by JBills on April 18, 2000 at 10:32:33 PT:
Fascism for Sale
How is this possible when "U.S. Policy" itself neglects wholly, and even attacks democratic values?Prohibition makes crimes of acts that are not crimes, eating away at the foundation of our democracy. Abe Lincoln knew this, he said so. He would be appaulled at the situation we are now in. Prohibition is a beaureaucratic crutch for those that slop at the Drug War trough.   "
Media Awareness Project
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Comment #2 posted by Rainbow on April 18, 2000 at 09:34:12 PT
Peace but on our terms
"Indiscriminate government censorship and repression can cause moderate and peaceful opponents of a regime to resort to violence," she said. "It can turn civilians who have never before been interested in politics into extremists. It would be a terrible mistake to treat peacefully practicing Muslims as enemies of the state."Yes maddy and I am one of them you have created. i am a peacefully practicing american and through your war on drugs am an enemy of your police state.PeaceRainbow
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Comment #1 posted by mungojelly on April 18, 2000 at 08:58:30 PT:
wouldn't want to enrage peaceful opponents, eh?
"Albright warned Karimov against suppressing peaceful opponents." ... "It can turn civilians who have never beforebeen interested in politics into extremists.  It would be a terrible mistake to treat peacefully practicing Muslims as enemies of the state." -- Well, isn't that ironic. Funny thing, I'm feeling kind of extremist. "an average monthly salary that barely reaches $20" -- And what are we going to do about it? We're going to spend our money on enforcing unenforcable laws instead of helping them -- while simultaneously trying to stop them from engaging in an extremely profitable industry. 
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